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FEAM Newsletter

June 2024

FEAM President emphasises crucial role of scientific advice

Prof. Stefan ConstantinescuFEAM President, participated as a speaker at the conference "One Health – Research & Innovation at the crossroads of environment and health", on 23 April 2024. Organized by Leuven One Health, One Europe for Global Health, the One Sustainable Health for All Foundation, and the Virchow Foundation for Global Health, the event took place at KU Leuven university under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Prof. Constantinescu provided valuable insights into the necessity of a global One Health strategy, emphasizing how the European Commission seeks scientific advice to address complex health challenges. The One Health approach, which acknowledges the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health, is increasingly critical amidst climate change, biodiversity loss, and emerging zoonotic diseases. The role of the Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) is particularly crucial in addressing these challenges effectively.

FEAM Activities

  https://www.feam.eu/feam-signs-joint-healthcare-statement-on-access-to-innovative-healthcare-under-the-artificial-intelligence-act-ai-act/

 

Ceremonial launch of the Critical Medicines Alliance

On 24 April 2024, Prof. George Griffin, FEAM Past President, attended the ceremonial launch of the Critical Medicines Alliance (CMA).

The Alliance brings together relevant stakeholders from EU Member States, key industries, the civil society, and the scientific community. Its goal is to develop concrete proposals to effectively prevent and address shortages of medicines.

Their mission is to ensure the sustainable production of essential medicines in Europe, with a focus on establishing a reliable supply chain for both raw materials and finished pharmaceutical products.

https://www.feam.eu/feam-signs-joint-statement-on-the-future-of-animal-research/

 
 

Strengthening vaccination policies towards the European elections

To mark World Health Organization (WHO)'s European Immunisation Week 2024, FEAM, as a member of the Coalition for Vaccination, urges healthcare professionals to prioritize keeping children up to date with their routine vaccinations.

This press release follows increasing outbreaks of preventable diseases like whooping cough, measles, and diphtheria in Europe, caused by declining vaccination rates.

 

 

Louise Abboud joins FEAM

Louise Abboud has joined FEAM as a Policy and Administration Support Officer. Her responsibilities include overseeing administrative and financial tasks and contributing to policy initiatives, particularly within the FEAM European Biomedical Policy Forum.

Louise holds a master's degree in international relations from Université libre de Bruxelles and a bachelor's degree in political sciences from Université Catholique de Bruxelles. In her previous role as an Association Management and Policy Consultant, she collaborated with various associations in Sustainability, Environment, Energy, and Mobility.



 
 

Dr. Hannah Macdonald joins SAPEA

Dr. Hannah Macdonald joined the team in May as Scientific Policy Officer at FEAM, working on SAPEA

Before joining FEAM she worked as a Policy Advisor on health at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London. She has a background in interdisciplinary cancer research.

  The vaccines' contribution to unmet medical need in the context of the revision of the EU General Pharmaceutical legislation - Vaccines Europe

 

FEAM advocates for increased research and innovation funding

FEAM has joined the #ResearchMatters campaign by signing a crucial open letter urging policymakers to prioritize increased funding for research and innovation across Europe.

Published online on 4 June 2024, the letter emphasizes the need for Europe to strengthen its scientific and technological capabilities in the face of global challenges.

By joining this initiative, FEAM aims to ensure Europe remains at the forefront of innovation, driving progress and addressing societal needs effectively.



 
 

SAPEA Board meeting

The Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) Board held its latest meeting in Berlin in May, which coincided with two workshops hosted by SAPEA on Interactions of Academies. These workshops brought together over 70 academy representatives from across Europe. The morning workshop, designed by the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA), invited participants to exchange examples of the ways they cooperate with a focus on science advice, as well as benefits and challenges faced in collaboration.

In the afternoon, the Young Academies Science Advice Structure (YASAS) arranged a second workshop with a focus on early and mid-career researchers in science advice. YASAS had designed an interactive game to illustrate the SAPEA evidence review process and invited reflections on how SAPEA can better involve EMCRs in the process.

Both workshops had fantastic participation with thoughtful contributions and experiences shared from across European academies.

Read more about the Scientific Advice Mechanism »

News from the academies

The Presidents and Heads of National Academies from all 27 EU member states have issued a joint statement titled “The Future of Europe depends on robust, open and free science and education”. This statement urges election candidates to safeguard the EU’s leadership in science and innovation, promote a free and open science system, invest in science and education, and ensure the integration of scientific knowledge into policy-making. 

On June 6 2024, the French Academy of Medicine published a press release titled “Chemical hair straightening and health risks”. It examines the link between hair straightening procedures involving glyoxylic and glycolic acids and cases of acute renal failure. The press release emphasizes the need for increased awareness among professionals and users regarding these risks and related symptoms.

Under the leadership of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, the National Academies of Sciences from the G7 countries have prepared this statement to offer scientific advice for the 2024 G7 Summit of Heads of State and Government in Italy. 

On 15 May 2024, the Academy of Medical Sciences of the Serbian Medical Society and the Academy of Engineering Sciences of Serbia organised the joint symposium “Artificial intelligence and medicine” in Belgrade. The event showcased successful applications of artificial intelligence in health and scientific institutions in Serbia, facilitated by collaboration between engineers and doctors.

On 12 June 2024, the French Academy of Pharmacy held a Hepta-Academic Symposium on antibiotic resistance. Prominent experts convened to discuss critical issues in antibiotic resistance. The event sessions are available for review on YouTube (morning session and afternoon session) along with the event report

In early June, the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain (RANME) conducted in-person voting among its governing board members to elect eight new Corresponding Academics. Their induction will be celebrated in an upcoming solemn ceremony at the RANME.

 

 

Upcoming events and opportunities

Events and opportunities by FEAM Academies, SAPEA, Forum partners and Network Academies

The European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) has hosted a webinar on AI for Science institutes, current efforts, lessons learned and outlook on the future. 

The European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) will host the webinar "Reaching out to society: how academies can maximise the impact of their public engagement" (12 July)

The Italian National Academy of Medicine is organising the 20th Meet The Professor. Advanced International Breast Cancer Course (AIBCC) in Padova, Italy (24 - 25 October) 

CoronaNet Research Project is looking for volunteers to help systematically document government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and forward the understanding of its drivers and effects. 

PERISCOPE launched five MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) on crisis preparedness and response. 

A new episode of the SAM's Science for Policy podcast with Nicola Francesco Dotti on guidelines for science advice organisations is now available. 

More events
 

 

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